BMW announces 38-mpg X3 xDrive 18d
by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Apr 10th 2009 at 5:29PM 
BMW X3 xDrive 18d - Click above for a high-res image gallery
BMW has just announced a new addition to its
Gallery: BMW X3 xDrive 18d
[Source: BMW]
PRESS RELEASE:
Superior Agility, Supreme Efficiency.The new BMW X3 xDrive 18d.
The new, particularly economical entry-level version of BMW's highly successful Sports Activity Vehicle - average fuel consumption to the EU standard 6.2 litres/100 kilometres (45.6 mpg imp), CO2 rating 165 g/km, emission standard EU5.
Munich. Fascinating agility on all kinds of terrain is now becoming more economical than ever before. Introducing a new entry-level version of the BMW X3, the world's most successful manufacturer of premium all-wheel-drive vehicles is once again setting the standard for efficiency in a Sports Activity Vehicle.
The new BMW X3 xDrive18d is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel delivering an ample 105 kW/143 hp. Average fuel consumption of the new model in the EU test cycle is a mere 6.2 litres/100 kilometres, equal to 45.6 mpg imp. In CO2 emissions, this means a rating of just 165 grams per kilometre. This makes the BMW X3 the most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive vehicle in its segment also in this performance class. And it almost goes without saying that the BMW X3 xDrive18d in series trim naturally fulfils the EU5 emission standard.
All-round driving pleasure and supreme efficiency have made the BMW X3 a genuine trendsetter, contributing significantly to the car's worldwide success. Indeed, it was the BMW X3 which for the first time carried over the features and qualities typical of a Sports Activity Vehicle into a new segment, total sales of the X3 now amounting to more than 500,000 units. For a long time the BMW X3 was the only premium vehicle in its class, and to this day it remains the epitome of driving dynamics on the road as well as agility and supreme traction off the beaten track. And last but certainly not least, the BMW X3 offers an unparalleled balance of performance and fuel economy throughout the entire competition segment of BMW X models.
Superior all-wheel-drive technology, powerful traction and premium quality now with even greater all-round economy.
The attractive combination of all these features is now borne out in yet another excellent rendition in the guise of the new BMW X3 xDrive18d. The benefits of BMW's intelligent xDrive all-wheel-drive technology, the spontaneous development of power typical of BMW's diesel engines, and the uncompromising quality of a genuine premium model now come with an even higher standard of economy.
The BMW X3 xDrive18d is powered by a four-cylinder diesel engine featuring an all-aluminium crankcase and common rail direct fuel injection developing maximum output of 105 kW/143 hp at 4,000 rpm. Maximum torque of 350 Newton-metres (258 lb-ft) at just 1,750 rpm ensures truly outstanding traction and pulling power at all times. The new BMW X3 xDrive18d accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 10.3 seconds and has a top speed of 195 km/h or 121 mph.
In conjunction with BMW EfficientDynamics naturally featured as standard, the superior all-round efficiency of the diesel engine ensures the outstanding economy of the BMW X3 xDrive18d. Offering average fuel consumption of just 6.2 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 45.6 mpg imp) and a CO2 rating of 165 grams per kilometre, the new model is even more economical and cleaner than the former leader on the efficiency scale, the 130 kW/177 hp BMW X3 xDrive20d (6.5 litres/43.5 mpg imp/172 grams). And just like its "bigger brother", the new BMW X3 xDrive18d naturally fulfils the EU5 emission standard.
The highly successful BMW X3: efficient, lasting in value, reliable.
The introduction of the new BMW X3 xDrive18d increases the number of engine variants available in this SAV from BMW to no less than seven. The customer has the choice of three petrol-engine models with power output ranging from 110 kW/150 hp to 200 kW/272 hp and four diesel models culminating in the 210 kW/286 hp BMW X3 xDrive35d as the most dynamic performer in the range.
Like all engine variants the new BMW X3 xDrive18d also comes as standard with BMW's intelligent xDrive all-wheel-drive system. This permanent, electronically masterminded all-wheel drive ensures variable distribution of drive power front-to-rear, promoting both driving dynamics on the road and safe, secure traction off the beaten track, with drive power constantly going to the wheels where it can be converted most effectively into actual driving forces on the road.
Thanks to the outstanding and truly convincing qualities of xDrive also available in many other BMWs, BMW remained the world's most successful manufacturer of all-wheel-drive vehicles in the premium segment also in 2008.
Over and above such outstanding efficiency and fascinating agility, the BMW X3 also offers truly excellent reliability. In 2009, for example, the X3 was lauded for the second time in a row with the renowned Yellow Angel Award by Germany's and, indeed, the world's largest motoring club, the Allgemeine Deutsche Automobilclub (ADAC), for outstanding all-round quality. Proceeding from the findings of ADAC's breakdown helpers famous throughout Germany as "Yellow Angels", this leading motoring club once again acknowledged the BMW X3 as the most reliable vehicle on the road in Germany.
Last but certainly not least, BMW's SAV also comes right at the top in terms of lasting value. In the category of off-road vehicles the market observers at EurotaxSchwacke ranked the BMW X3 No 1 in their AutomobilForecastIndex 2008, confirming that of all vehicles in this segment BMW's SAV shows the lowest decline in value.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kumail 5:37PM (4/10/2009)
I hate the fact that they try to create a car for segments between segments. Its a never ending cycle since you can always continue to make room.
The sad part is that with these segments, some companies (like Acura) will begin to rival their cars making more companies want to enter their market.
This is the ring of death.
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Tdogg 5:37PM (4/10/2009)
Just kill it. No one wants it, they'd save alot more without that ugly cruise ship.
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Seminole 5:41PM (4/10/2009)
I'm sure it will do pretty well for the market it was intended for; Europe.
Conundrum 5:47PM (4/10/2009)
Those worried about CAFE, oil trade deficits, fuel consumption, and all that go with it should be clamoring for this vehicle in the US... but we won't be able to get it!
The government can change the standards for anything else they desire but the Democrats in control can't change the standards to allow this type of vehicle to come to the US? They could if they really cared.
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tankd0g 10:04PM (4/10/2009)
Cared about what? Going back to 1980 pollution standards?
jgp 12:35AM (4/11/2009)
And the Republicans did jack squat about this when they were in power, too. Did Bush veto the increased CAFE regulations? No. Did the Republican Congress of 2003-2007 remove the stranglehold of regulations on automakers? No. Will the Democrats do so? No.
Face it: both parties hate liberty. Sure, the opposition always claims to love liberty, but as soon as they take office, their claims turn are revealed as lies. This is nothing new; it is the whole of history.
Conundrum 11:31AM (4/11/2009)
@tankd0g...
It has nothing to do with the 1980s. This BMW gets better fuel economy than a Camry 2.4L four cylinder 6.2L/ 100km vs 8.9L/ 100 km. This BMW produces less carbon emmisions than the same Camry 165 grams/ km vs 210 grams/ km. The politicians will not accept it in the US why? Because BMW doesn't make cars safe enough for Americans? The diesel is too poluting? Please forgive my skeptisism. If the politicians cared about the environment like they tell thier constituents, this could be changed very very easily.
http://carshowroom.autotrader.com.au/forge/data_entry?tp=Prod&category=vehicle%20specifications&temp_type=detail&lifestyle=&bodystyle=&omni_cust=Make/Model&style_id=15829020090101
@ jgp...
The Democrats are in control. What happens or fails to happen is entirely on thier shoulders right now. The party in power has been running on environmental issues for decades. Lets see how much they "really" care. Will we be permitted to have the fuel efficent cars that are currently avaliable around the rest of the world? If not, Why?
adam 5:48PM (4/10/2009)
sounds like a blast to drive.. NOT...
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asuka 5:59PM (4/10/2009)
Those numbers are really impressive for a vehicle that looks like that. But they should have styled it more like an off-road wagon than an SUV; it would have been lighter, which would have allowed for an increase in performance or even more impressive fuel economy.
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Xcountryflyer 6:03PM (4/10/2009)
Ridiculous naming convention.
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Kaveh 6:13PM (4/10/2009)
I thought they would have a full redesign by now. I never liked the X3, it looks like its made from spare parts. Also, check out the Top gear website on the X3, they tried taking it off roading, was as good as having a 3 series off roading.
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Aloysius Vampa 6:18PM (4/10/2009)
Nobody wants it? Yeah, I definitely don't see any X3s driving around.
...
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LimeDaiquiri 6:22PM (4/10/2009)
The 38-mpg X3-what?
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jcar302 6:56PM (4/10/2009)
The styling doesn't bother me.
The 150hp in a 4000+lb suv does.
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jg 7:03PM (4/10/2009)
Did you see the torque numbers?
fixitfixitstop 10:47AM (4/11/2009)
Clearly you know nothing about diesel motors. Long-hauling 18-wheelers usually aren't powered by diesel making more than 500-600 horsepower. It's all about torque.
jcar302 3:39PM (4/11/2009)
Ya, great, it's got alot of torque.
Just in case you want to use it to tow boats, pull out tree stumps, etc...
Why bother making note of the torque, when the article clearly states it goes from 0-60 in 10 seconds. Which is just about the same as the toyota prius.
Nick 7:59PM (4/10/2009)
X3 should get a full redesign, it looks old.
Awesome numbers though, 38mpg for a car like that is impressive.
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paul.ml.n.ho 8:15PM (4/10/2009)
Yay! I can't wait to get my hands on one of these so I can go 0-60 in 10 seconds and race all the lame X3 SDrives3i to South Coast Plaza... because their parking lots look like they do in the picture. Why else would you get one of these in America? Europe rocks, let them have it though.
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Pips 8:26PM (4/10/2009)
why X3 xDrive 18d?
why not X3 xDrive 18P
or even X) xDrive >8P
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